Distance
About 730 km via the Western Highway.
Melbourne → Adelaide one-way car rental
730 km, 8.5–9.5 h. Compare fees, routes and total price.
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One-way car rental from Melbourne → Adelaide
A straightforward inland drive past the Grampians, or the famous Great Ocean Road for a two- or three-day trip.
Driving time
8.5–9.5 h without long breaks.
Minimum hire
Often 3 days or more.
Typical one-way fee
A$120–220, depending on supplier and season.
Indicative figures only. The final fee is shown before you pay.
Melbourne → Adelaide route planner
Two ways to drive it. Pick a route to see every stop with its distance from Melbourne, driving time, the leg that follows and a day plan.
Best for getting to Adelaide faster
Fastest / Western Highway
Western and Dukes highways, through Ballarat and Horsham.
DistanceAbout 730 km
Driving timeAbout 8.5–9.5 h
Stops4 on the way
- A
Melbourne Pick-up
Leave via the Western Freeway, avoiding the evening peak.
0 kmStartNext: Ballarat · 115 km · about 1 h 15 min - 1
Ballarat Fuel & coffee
Gold-rush city and Sovereign Hill. Coffee and fuel.
115 kmAbout 1 h 20 minNext: Horsham · 185 km · about 2 h - 2
Horsham Meal stop
Lunch stop near the Grampians.
300 kmAbout 3 h 20 minNext: Bordertown · 130 km · about 1 h 30 min - 3
Bordertown Fuel & coffee
Just over the SA border. Note the fruit-fly quarantine rules.
430 kmAbout 4 h 45 minNext: Tailem Bend · 190 km · about 2 h - 4
Tailem Bend Fuel & coffee
Murray River crossing. Last big break before Adelaide.
620 kmAbout 6 h 45 minNext: Adelaide · 110 km · about 1 h 15 min - B
Adelaide Drop-off
Return at the airport or CBD, via the Adelaide Hills.
730 kmAbout 8 h
Best for a coastal road trip
Great Ocean Road option
Great Ocean Road, then the Limestone Coast. Plan two nights.
DistanceAbout 1,010 km
Driving timeAbout 13 h, plus stops
Stops6 on the way
- A
Melbourne Pick-up
Head to Geelong and Torquay.
0 kmStartNext: Lorne · 140 km · about 2 h 15 min - 1
Lorne Sightseeing
Start of the cliff-top Great Ocean Road.
140 kmAbout 2 h 15 minNext: Apollo Bay · 45 km · about 45 min - 2
Apollo Bay Meal stop
Lunch and the Otway rainforest.
185 kmAbout 3 hNext: Port Campbell · 90 km · about 1 h 30 min - 3
Port Campbell Overnight option
Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Overnight here.
275 kmAbout 4 h 30 minNext: Portland · 165 km · about 2 h - 4
Portland Sightseeing
Historic port and Cape Bridgewater.
440 kmAbout 6 h 30 minNext: Mount Gambier · 105 km · about 1 h 15 min - 5
Mount Gambier Overnight option
Blue Lake and sinkholes. Good second overnight.
545 kmAbout 7 h 45 minNext: Robe · 130 km · about 1 h 30 min - 6
Robe Meal stop
Seaside town on the Limestone Coast.
675 kmAbout 9 h 15 minNext: Adelaide · 335 km · about 3 h 45 min - B
Adelaide Drop-off
Return at the airport or CBD.
1,010 kmAbout 13 h
Approximate distances and times without long breaks. Driving times vary with traffic, roadworks and weather.
Melbourne → Adelaide route planner
Two ways to drive it. Pick a route to see every stop with its distance from Melbourne, driving time, the leg that follows and a day plan.
Best for getting to Adelaide faster
Fastest / Western Highway
Western and Dukes highways, through Ballarat and Horsham.
DistanceAbout 730 km
Driving timeAbout 8.5–9.5 h
Stops4 on the way
- A
Melbourne Pick-up
Leave via the Western Freeway, avoiding the evening peak.
0 kmStartNext: Ballarat · 115 km · about 1 h 15 min - 1
Ballarat Fuel & coffee
Gold-rush city and Sovereign Hill. Coffee and fuel.
115 kmAbout 1 h 20 minNext: Horsham · 185 km · about 2 h - 2
Horsham Meal stop
Lunch stop near the Grampians.
300 kmAbout 3 h 20 minNext: Bordertown · 130 km · about 1 h 30 min - 3
Bordertown Fuel & coffee
Just over the SA border. Note the fruit-fly quarantine rules.
430 kmAbout 4 h 45 minNext: Tailem Bend · 190 km · about 2 h - 4
Tailem Bend Fuel & coffee
Murray River crossing. Last big break before Adelaide.
620 kmAbout 6 h 45 minNext: Adelaide · 110 km · about 1 h 15 min - B
Adelaide Drop-off
Return at the airport or CBD, via the Adelaide Hills.
730 kmAbout 8 h
Best for a coastal road trip
Great Ocean Road option
Great Ocean Road, then the Limestone Coast. Plan two nights.
DistanceAbout 1,010 km
Driving timeAbout 13 h, plus stops
Stops6 on the way
- A
Melbourne Pick-up
Head to Geelong and Torquay.
0 kmStartNext: Lorne · 140 km · about 2 h 15 min - 1
Lorne Sightseeing
Start of the cliff-top Great Ocean Road.
140 kmAbout 2 h 15 minNext: Apollo Bay · 45 km · about 45 min - 2
Apollo Bay Meal stop
Lunch and the Otway rainforest.
185 kmAbout 3 hNext: Port Campbell · 90 km · about 1 h 30 min - 3
Port Campbell Overnight option
Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Overnight here.
275 kmAbout 4 h 30 minNext: Portland · 165 km · about 2 h - 4
Portland Sightseeing
Historic port and Cape Bridgewater.
440 kmAbout 6 h 30 minNext: Mount Gambier · 105 km · about 1 h 15 min - 5
Mount Gambier Overnight option
Blue Lake and sinkholes. Good second overnight.
545 kmAbout 7 h 45 minNext: Robe · 130 km · about 1 h 30 min - 6
Robe Meal stop
Seaside town on the Limestone Coast.
675 kmAbout 9 h 15 minNext: Adelaide · 335 km · about 3 h 45 min - B
Adelaide Drop-off
Return at the airport or CBD.
1,010 kmAbout 13 h
Approximate distances and times without long breaks. Driving times vary with traffic, roadworks and weather.
Melbourne → Adelaide route planner
Two ways to drive it. Pick a route to see every stop with its distance from Melbourne, driving time, the leg that follows and a day plan.
Best for getting to Adelaide faster
Fastest / Western Highway
Western and Dukes highways, through Ballarat and Horsham.
DistanceAbout 730 km
Driving timeAbout 8.5–9.5 h
Stops4 on the way
- A
Melbourne Pick-up
Leave via the Western Freeway, avoiding the evening peak.
0 kmStartNext: Ballarat · 115 km · about 1 h 15 min - 1
Ballarat Fuel & coffee
Gold-rush city and Sovereign Hill. Coffee and fuel.
115 kmAbout 1 h 20 minNext: Horsham · 185 km · about 2 h - 2
Horsham Meal stop
Lunch stop near the Grampians.
300 kmAbout 3 h 20 minNext: Bordertown · 130 km · about 1 h 30 min - 3
Bordertown Fuel & coffee
Just over the SA border. Note the fruit-fly quarantine rules.
430 kmAbout 4 h 45 minNext: Tailem Bend · 190 km · about 2 h - 4
Tailem Bend Fuel & coffee
Murray River crossing. Last big break before Adelaide.
620 kmAbout 6 h 45 minNext: Adelaide · 110 km · about 1 h 15 min - B
Adelaide Drop-off
Return at the airport or CBD, via the Adelaide Hills.
730 kmAbout 8 h
Best for a coastal road trip
Great Ocean Road option
Great Ocean Road, then the Limestone Coast. Plan two nights.
DistanceAbout 1,010 km
Driving timeAbout 13 h, plus stops
Stops6 on the way
- A
Melbourne Pick-up
Head to Geelong and Torquay.
0 kmStartNext: Lorne · 140 km · about 2 h 15 min - 1
Lorne Sightseeing
Start of the cliff-top Great Ocean Road.
140 kmAbout 2 h 15 minNext: Apollo Bay · 45 km · about 45 min - 2
Apollo Bay Meal stop
Lunch and the Otway rainforest.
185 kmAbout 3 hNext: Port Campbell · 90 km · about 1 h 30 min - 3
Port Campbell Overnight option
Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Overnight here.
275 kmAbout 4 h 30 minNext: Portland · 165 km · about 2 h - 4
Portland Sightseeing
Historic port and Cape Bridgewater.
440 kmAbout 6 h 30 minNext: Mount Gambier · 105 km · about 1 h 15 min - 5
Mount Gambier Overnight option
Blue Lake and sinkholes. Good second overnight.
545 kmAbout 7 h 45 minNext: Robe · 130 km · about 1 h 30 min - 6
Robe Meal stop
Seaside town on the Limestone Coast.
675 kmAbout 9 h 15 minNext: Adelaide · 335 km · about 3 h 45 min - B
Adelaide Drop-off
Return at the airport or CBD.
1,010 kmAbout 13 h
Approximate distances and times without long breaks. Driving times vary with traffic, roadworks and weather.
How Much Does a One-Way Car Rental Cost?
Your total is the rental price plus the one-way fee and any optional extras you choose. The exact amounts appear in your quote for your dates, car and locations.
Rental priceBased on your dates and car type
The base price for your dates and vehicle category.
One-way feeShown before you payCharged for dropping the car in a different city
Charged when you return the car to a different location. Your quote shows the actual fee for your booking.
Optional extrasOptionalOnly what you choose to add
Protection and add-ons are optional and listed separately, so you can see what each one adds.
How Much Does a One-Way Car Rental Cost?
Your total is the rental price plus the one-way fee and any optional extras you choose. The exact amounts appear in your quote for your dates, car and locations.
Rental priceBased on your dates and car type
The base price for your dates and vehicle category.
One-way feeShown before you payCharged for dropping the car in a different city
Charged when you return the car to a different location. Your quote shows the actual fee for your booking.
Optional extrasOptionalOnly what you choose to add
Protection and add-ons are optional and listed separately, so you can see what each one adds.
How Much Does a One-Way Car Rental Cost?
Your total is the rental price plus the one-way fee and any optional extras you choose. The exact amounts appear in your quote for your dates, car and locations.
Rental priceBased on your dates and car type
The base price for your dates and vehicle category.
One-way feeShown before you payCharged for dropping the car in a different city
Charged when you return the car to a different location. Your quote shows the actual fee for your booking.
Optional extrasOptionalOnly what you choose to add
Protection and add-ons are optional and listed separately, so you can see what each one adds.
How Much Does a One-Way Car Rental Cost?
Your total is the rental price plus the one-way fee and any optional extras you choose. The exact amounts appear in your quote for your dates, car and locations.
Rental priceBased on your dates and car type
The base price for your dates and vehicle category.
One-way feeShown before you payCharged for dropping the car in a different city
Charged when you return the car to a different location. Your quote shows the actual fee for your booking.
Optional extrasOptionalOnly what you choose to add
Protection and add-ons are optional and listed separately, so you can see what each one adds.
How much is a one-way car rental fee in Australia?
A one-way fee is added when you drop the car in a different city. For Melbourne to Adelaide it is usually higher than for short regional routes, and it changes by supplier and season.
| Category | Daily rate from | Typical one-way fee |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | A$39 | A$120–190 |
| Compact | A$46 | A$120–200 |
| SUV | A$68 | A$150–220 |
| Van | A$95 | A$190–270 |
Indicative only. The final fee is shown before you pay. Relocation deals can reduce or remove it.
Melbourne → Adelaide Driving Essentials
Four things worth knowing before you set off.
Keep Left
Australia drives on the left, including at roundabouts and when you pull back onto the road after a stop.
Watch Your Speed
Follow posted limits and changing road conditions. Speed limits vary by state, road type and area, so always follow the signs.
Plan Fuel Stops
Don't rely on finding fuel exactly when your tank is low. Fill up in larger towns, and check the fuel policy in your rental agreement.
Take Breaks
Long-distance driving requires regular rest. Share the driving if you can, and stop when you feel tired.
Important: Speed limits are determined by road signage and conditions; always follow the current posted limit.
Smart Tips for a Melbourne → Adelaide Road Trip
Practical checks travellers often make too late.
Check the return location
Drop-off locations in Adelaide may have different operating arrangements. Pick the one that suits your arrival.
Confirm the one-way fee
Don't compare only the daily rental rate. Compare the total price with the one-way fee included.
Check after-hours return
Particularly important if your arrival time is late. Confirm how and where to return the car and the keys.
Check kilometre limits
A 730 km trip can use a lot of your allowance once you add side trips. Check what your rental includes.
Allow extra time for stops
The direct drive is about 8.5–9.5 h. Stops, meals and fuel breaks add up, so plan your days to match.
Check vehicle restrictions
Some vehicle categories may have different one-way rules. Check before you confirm a category.
Photograph the vehicle at pickup
Record existing damage before leaving, and make sure it is noted on your paperwork.
Keep the rental agreement accessible
Keep a copy on your phone and the paper copy in the car, in case you are asked for it.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
How long does the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide take?
About 8.5–9.5 h on the Western Highway, without long breaks.
Can I drop the car at Adelaide after driving from Melbourne?
Often yes, at an airport or city depot in Adelaide. Confirm the drop-off hours and any surcharge.
Are there tolls between Melbourne and Adelaide?
Only CityLink if you use it leaving Melbourne.
Can I save money on the Melbourne to Adelaide one-way fee?
Compare suppliers, flexible dates, both directions and relocation deals.
Can I rent a car one-way from Melbourne to Adelaide?
Yes. Many suppliers allow different pickup and drop-off locations, and a one-way charge may apply.
How much does a one-way rental cost from Melbourne to Adelaide?
It varies by supplier, route, vehicle and dates. Any one-way charge is shown before you book.
Are tolls included on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Usually not. Tolls are typically charged separately.
Can I drive on unsealed roads on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Many agreements restrict or exclude them. Check your conditions before you go.
Can I take a rental car on a ferry on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Often restricted. Check terms, including for Tasmania ferries.
What is the excess on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
The maximum you may pay for damage unless you reduce it. It varies by supplier and vehicle.
Can I add another driver on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Usually, if they meet age and licence rules. A fee may apply.
Can I return the car after hours on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Some locations allow it with a key drop. Confirm before you book.
Can international visitors rent a car from Melbourne to Adelaide?
Generally yes with a valid licence. An English translation or permit may be needed.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
Can I drop the car at Adelaide after driving from Melbourne?
Often yes, at an airport or city depot in Adelaide. Confirm the drop-off hours and any surcharge.
Can I rent a car one-way from Melbourne to Adelaide?
Yes. Many suppliers allow different pickup and drop-off locations, and a one-way charge may apply.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
Are there tolls between Melbourne and Adelaide?
Only CityLink if you use it leaving Melbourne.
Can I save money on the Melbourne to Adelaide one-way fee?
Compare suppliers, flexible dates, both directions and relocation deals.
How much does a one-way rental cost from Melbourne to Adelaide?
It varies by supplier, route, vehicle and dates. Any one-way charge is shown before you book.
Are tolls included on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Usually not. Tolls are typically charged separately.
What is the excess on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
The maximum you may pay for damage unless you reduce it. It varies by supplier and vehicle.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
How long does the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide take?
About 8.5–9.5 h on the Western Highway, without long breaks.
Can I drive on unsealed roads on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Many agreements restrict or exclude them. Check your conditions before you go.
Can I take a rental car on a ferry on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Often restricted. Check terms, including for Tasmania ferries.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
Can I add another driver on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Usually, if they meet age and licence rules. A fee may apply.
Can I return the car after hours on a Melbourne to Adelaide one-way trip?
Some locations allow it with a key drop. Confirm before you book.
Can international visitors rent a car from Melbourne to Adelaide?
Generally yes with a valid licence. An English translation or permit may be needed.
Other one-way trips
Sydney → Melbourne
880 km · 9–10 h · A$150–250 typical fee
Melbourne → Sydney
880 km · 9–10 h · A$150–250 typical fee
Melbourne → Geelong
75 km · about 1 h · A$0–60 typical fee
Melbourne → Canberra
660 km · 7–7.5 h · A$120–220 typical fee
Melbourne → Brisbane
1,670 km · 18–19 h · A$300–500 typical fee
Adelaide → Melbourne
730 km · 8.5–9.5 h · A$120–220 typical fee
Adelaide → Sydney
1,375 km · 14–16 h · A$300–500 typical fee
Adelaide → Alice Springs
1,530 km · 16–17 h · A$350–650 typical fee